Moro organization Suara Bangsamoro calls to give no votes for pro-martial law candidates this May 2019 midterm elections. (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The militant Moro group Suara Bangsamoro said that Mindanaoans will not give their votes to those candidates who favored the third martial law extension in Mindanao this coming 2019 midterm elections.
Suara Bangsamoro’s Jerome Aba said that political bets would certainly get what he termed as “Mindanao protest” as the group also welcomed another petition filed before the Supreme Court (SC) asking to invalidate the third extension of martial law in the Mindanao.
On Friday,January 4, opposition lawmakers including Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman, Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin, Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr., Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, Quezon City 6th District Representative Jose Christopher Belmonte, and Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao filed their petition seeking to declare the martial law extension as “unconstitutional.”
The lawmakers cited in their petition that the Resolution of both Houses No. 16, approved by the majority of Congress last Dec.12,2018, extending the martial law until the end of December 2019, mocked the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Aba commended the opposition lawmakers for standing up for Mindanaons and questioning President Rodrigo Duterte’s extension of martial law.
The group also believed that the martial law “foments violence and state terror” against the people in Mindanao.
“President Duterte’s tyranny in Mindanao has caused alarming cases of human rights abuses and worsening economic conditions. Mindanaons’ disapproval of his fascist measures is reflected in the drop in his trust ratings in Mindanao based on a SWS survey conducted in December 2018 coinciding with the hearing of the extension of martial law,” said Aba.
The Makabayan bloc in Congress also filed a petition challenging the 3nd extension of martial law, saying that it has no factual and legal basis.The group also warned about the intensified human rights violations amid the martial law extension.
Meanwhile, the Malacanang expressed confidence that the petition against martial law filed by the group of Lagman will be dismissed by the Supreme Court, like other previous petitions. (davaotoday.com)
